The Drowning Seeks to Redefine Touchscreen Shooters

The Drowning is making a lot of big claims about changing the way first person shooters are done on touchscreens. It's hard to say at this point if it has changed the way other games will work, but it's certainly providing a different experience in this one game. This title is currently only on iOS, but an Android version is in the works.

On the surface, this is your typical zombie apocalypse shoot-em-up. You're thrown right into the action as you awaken on a beach surrounded by aggressive undead creatures. The game gives you a quick tutorial, and that's it. You've learned just about everything you need to play the entire game in two minutes.

You can play the Drowning with just two fingers, and here's how. Tap anywhere on the screen and your character will take the fastest route to that spot. At any time you may tap the turn button at the bottom of the screen to turn 180-degrees, but continue moving in the direction you just were. Dragging with one finger anyplace on the screen lets you turn.

The real innovation, however, is firing. Anywhere in your field of view, simply tap with two fingers and the gun will fire exactly in the middle. You're basically framing the shot with your fingers like crosshairs. This is an instantly understandable and easy game mechanic. In addition, this is not just an inexact lightgun arcade game. You get more points for headshots, and more stopping power too. The innovative controls are also a big win because the screen is kept clear of UI clutter.

The production value is solid. This is one of those games people are starting to say has console quality graphics. That's not a lie, but it's not entirely accurate. There are times The Drowning looks amazing with the lighting effects and crisp textures. Then there's an odd object collision, or a line is just too angular. This is still one of the most attractive FPS games on a mobile device, though.

The Drowning leads you through a series of missions that you will hopefully be able to survive. Along the way you must upgrade and purchase new weapons and supplies. This is where the sales pitch comes in. The Drowning is a free game with in-app purchases. You are encouraged to pay a few bucks to jumpstart your efforts, and maybe you should. The Drowning is a great title, and it's free to try.

Ryan Whitwam is a freelance tech/science writer and fan of all things electronic. This long-time skeptic and former research scientist is a lover of the em dash and a defender of the Oxford comma. He also writes for Geek.com and ExtremeTech.
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